Bathroom Light Delay

[Ronvyoung]

Hi All

I have a fair understanding of electrics but need some help with a bathroom circuit. The bathroom light is taking longer to come on(typically 18 seconds) and I am not sure what to replace. I have checked the bulbs which are ok.

Basically the light unit is a flush ceiling fitting with two 2pin d type bulbs and a unit between the two with a wire to each bulb socket. An extractor fan is linked in with the light with an isolation switch outside the bathroom. Next to this switch is a box which houses a PCB with a transformer and other components. I assume this is a low voltage unit but not sure whether it is for the light, the fan or both.

My question is whether the component in the light is a ballast and would this be causing the delay?

Ron

 

[Marvo]

A photo would be great if you can attach one. Is the light a fluorescent?

 

[Andy™]

2 pin is internal switch start. replacing the fitting with a 4 pin HF start would make it light almost instantly, usually within a second or 2

 

[Evans Electric]

There should be a starter switch in the fitting (  a round white canister )  Try replacing that , otherwise it must be the ballast unit . 

Transformer must be for the fan , which is almost certainly 12Volts .

 

[Nicky Tesla]

2 pin is internal switch start.

 

[Ronvyoung]

Thanks for the advice folks. There are none of the typical starters, just the two d type tubes and the ballast so sounds like the ballast unit needs replacing.

Thanks again

 

[Andy™]

the choke has no effect on the start up time. changing it wil not do anything.

switch start lamps always take a while to start. as i said in post 3, if you want immediate light from a fluorescent you need to change the fitting to HF with electronic control gear and a 4 pin lamp

 

[Nicky Tesla]

a colleague of mine was changing a SON lamp.   I said is it an internal or external lamp, and he said it is external cause its on a street lamp but it is internal cos its inside a glass dome.........LOL

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Going OT, are the bases for 28 & 38 w 2D lamps the same , ie could you fit a 38w into a 28w base even though it wont work. 

 

[kerching]

Going OT, are the bases for 28 & 38 w 2D lamps the same , ie could you fit a 38w into a 28w base even though it wont work. 

YES!

had exactly that on wednesday

38w in a 28w fitting

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

YES!

had exactly that on wednesday

38w in a 28w fitting

 Thanks, had an irate customer complaining today these expensive lamps ( he paid £10 each) were not lasting a week. He then read out  38W  2D etc, when I knew I had fitted 28w over 3 years ago

Apparently they worked  glowing a pale yellow for a week :facepalm:

 

[Nicky Tesla]

They seem to work ok the other way round  ie a 28w lamp in a 38w fitting

 

[Ronvyoung]

Hi everyone

I have been on holiday and finally returned to sort out the bathroom light. Many thanks to Andy for your input which led me to think that although the light output was fine maybe the bulb starting mechanism was suspect. Changed both the g23 2 pin bulbs and hey presto instant switch-on back.

Thanks again 

 

[Manator]

We should also thank Andy for his replies which finally helped to resolve the problem.

The scoob button still works!!